A fraction
is a part of a whole, like one half (1/2), one third (1/3), two thirds (2/3),
one quarter (1/4), etc. For example, half of an apple is a fraction of an apple.

A fraction can be expressed in the form a/b, where the top number, a, is
called the numerator; the bottom number, b, is called the
denominator. The denominator of a fraction cannot be equal to zero (this
is because you cannot dividde a number by zero).

The value of a fraction is not changed if both the numerator and denominator
are multiplied or divided by the same non-zero number.

Equivalent Fractions:Equivalent fractions are different fractions that
are equal to the same number (like 2/4 and 3/6) and can be simplified and
written as the same fraction (1/2 in this example).

Expressing Fractions in Simplest Form: A fraction is in its simplest form (this is also called
being expressed in lowest terms) if the Greatest Common Factor (GCF), also
called the Greatest Common Denominator (GCD), of the numerator and denominator
is 1. To reduce a fraction to lowest terms (also called its simplest form),
divide both the numerator and denominator by the GCD. For example, 2/3 is in
lowest form, but 4/6 is not in lowest form (the GCD of 4 and 6 is 2) and 4/6 can
be expressed as 2/3.

Improper Fractions:An improper fraction is one whose numerator is
larger than the denominator (like 5/4). Improper fractions can be written as a
mixed number, a number plus a fraction (for example, 5/4 = 1 1/4).

Fractions Written as Decimals:Every fraction can be expressed as decimal
(a number with a decimal point). One way to convert a fraction to a decimal is
to divide the numerator by the denominator. For example, 1/2 is equal to 1
divided by 2, which is equal to 0.5.

Fractions to Percents:A fraction can be expressed as a percentage by
converting the fraction to a decimal number, then multiplying by 100 to obtain a
percentage (since percent means per 100). For example, 1/2 = 0.5 = 50%.

Adding Fractions:To add two or more fractions, first make all the fractions
have the same denominator. Once the denominators are the same, just add the
numerators. Then simplify the answer (put the fraction in lowest terms).

Multiplying Fractions:To multiply two or more fractions, multiply the
numerators and multiply the denominators. Then simplify the answer (put the
fraction in lowest terms).

Comparing Fractions:To compare two fractions (that is, to find out
which one is bigger or smaller), first write the fractions so that they have the
same denominator. Then, compare the numerators; the fraction with the largest
positive numerator is the larger fraction.

Fraction Worksheets:Introduction to Fractions - Worksheets and Games to
Print

Printable Set of Fraction
DominoesPrint a set of fractions
dominoes; each tile has fractions on it (1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 2/3, and
3/4) in words, in reduced form, as equivalent fractions, and in pictures.
In this game the student matches fractions in different forms.

FractionsPrintable Number
BookA short, printable book for early
readers, about fractions, with pages for the student to cut out, items to
color, and short phrases to copy.

One HalfPrintable Fraction
BookA short, printable book about the
fraction one half for early reader, with pages for the student to cut out,
items to color, fraction activities, and short phrases to copy.

One QuarterPrintable Fraction
BookA short, printable book about the
fraction one quarter for early reader, with pages for the student to cut
out, items to color, fraction activities, and short phrases to
copy.

One ThirdPrintable Fraction
BookA short, printable book about the
fraction one third for early reader, with pages for the student to cut
out, items to color, fraction activities, and short phrases to
copy.

Each worksheet has 15 fractions to reduce
to lowest terms (also called expressing in lowest terms). To reduce a
fraction to lowest terms, divide both the numerator and denominator by the
Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) (also called the Greatest Common Factor
(GCF)).